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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Becky goes for a walk to get away from Mimi. Whom does she go see?

2. What does the news station offer Ayinde?

3. Who is Ayinde's mother looking for when they arrive at the photo shoot?

4. Where does Kelly decide to work?

5. What does Mimi feed Ava when she first arrives at Becky and Andrew's home?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the director tell Ayinde that no one will tune in to watch her read the news?

2. We learn Kelly wanted a normal childhood in May Kelly. What does Kelly consider a normal childhood?

3. Ayinde always claims to want to stay at home with Julian. How does she interpret the failed job interview to justify this desire?

4. How does Lia's flight back to LA bring out the thought, "You can't go home again'?

5. What is the symbolism of Mimi wearing a white dress to Becky and Andrew's wedding?

6. Why is the thought of having intercourse so hard for Kelly?

7. What constitutes Lia's inability to come to grips with her baby's death?

8. Why does Richard, Ayinde's husband, appear to be ready to go on another trip?

9. In "August Becky," what breakthroughs does Lia make with the loss of her son?

10. Why does Kelly panic when she finds out that Steve wants to become a teacher?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the book, we learn about the main characters and their relationships with their mothers and/or mothers-in-law. Some of the main characters have strong relationships with their mothers and/or mothers-in-law; while others have poor relationships with their mothers and/or mothers-in-law. Write about the relationships of the four main characters with their mothers and/or mothers-in-law. Tell if the relationship is good or bad and what causes or has caused the relationship to be the way it is.

Essay Topic 2

Lia, Ayinde, Becky, and Kelly all have difficult relationships with their mothers and mothers-in-law. Think about how these relationships affect them and the bonds they develop with their babies. For example, Ayinde clearly wants to parent her children differently than the way she was raised, however, she also wants to live up to her mother's expectations by taking the book Baby Success seriously. How does Ayinde deal with balancing these two sides and will it affect Ayinde's relationship with Julian? How? Also, how do Ayinde's childhood memories affect the relationship with Julian?

Essay Topic 3

There were many themes throughout the story. Choose one of them and describe how it develops throughout.

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